Youth with disabilities more likely to be food insecure

Two recent studies show that young people with disabilities are more likely to be “food insecure,” or have trouble affording adequate food, than other young people. A study in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics of children with special health needs found:

1. Households with children who have special needs are 24% likelier to be food insecure than similar households whose children don’t have special needs; 
2. Children with special needs who receive SSI benefits are about 50% likelier to live in food-insecure households than children with special needs who don’t get SSI; and
3. Children with special needs often require special diets, which raises their food costs and makes them even more vulnerable to food insecurity. 

The other study, in Disability and Health Journal, shows the risk of food insecurity doesn’t end with childhood. It found that 18- to 25-year olds with disabilities are much likelier to experience food insecurity than other young adults.

Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, Youth with Disabilities